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Welcome to the Fishing Report from Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. At 6:49 am, the temperature outside is 73.6 degrees.

Today will be hot, in the low 90’s. We will be under a heat advisory from noon until 8 pm this evening. Thunderstorms are likely tonight with a good chance for more tomorrow. Tomorrow and Thursday will be cooler, with highs in the mid-80’s and lows in the 60’s.

Little River is flowing at 67.6 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.52 feet on the gauge. Median flow for this date is 122 cfs. The water temperature is 73.0 degrees this morning.

Little Pigeon River is flowing at 187 cfs, 1.48 feet, compared to median flow of 272 cfs for this date.

Rain fell in the Oconaluftee River watershed this morning. The river is rising. Flow is 304 cfs, 1.48 feet, compared to median flow of 255 cfs. The water temperature is 69.3 degrees.

Tellico River is flowing slightly above normal for this date. Flow there is 134 cfs, 1.08 feet, compared to median flow of 107 cfs.

Cataloochee Creek is flowing above normal today, at 59.6 cfs, 2.35 feet, compared to median flow of 53 cfs. The water temperature is 64.2 degrees.

You will probably find higher water on the North Carolina side of the Park, depending on where you go. Little River and Little Pigeon River are flowing low today.

Steams are warm in the low elevations. Seek higher elevations where the water is cooler. Look for water temps in the 60’s.

Stealth is as important as ever. Stay hidden and blend in with the forest. You will catch more trout if you do.

Dry flies are working well. About any reasonable dry pattern will work. Yellow Sally Stonefly imitations are good. Terrestrials will work. I would drop a Green Weenie off my dry.

Some lowland rivers are flowing higher than normal. Others are not, including Little River and Little Pigeon River. Fishing is probably fair. Poppers and foam floating flies are what I would use. Go early or late, or, fish the shaded areas of the river if you pick one that is shaded. Little River is well shaded in many areas.

Lake fishing may be fair. Most lakes are warm. Go early or late when the sun is off the water. Fish the shaded banks as long as you can.

There may be a few tailwater opportunities today, especially if you are floating. I don’t check them all, but I saw a couple that might work for you. Visit the TVA website from the links below to see if your favorite tailwater is fishable, either by wading or boating.

Whatever you do or wherever you go, don’t get dehydrated. Drink plenty of water. Though it will cool some tomorrow and Thursday, the long term forecast calls for hot days through the end of August. The normal high temperature here is 85 degrees in August. The average low is 61 degrees.

I’m looking forward to September, with an average high of 80 and a low averaging 55 degrees.

Have a great day and thank you for being here with us.

Byron Begley
August 13, 2019

Respond to: byron@littleriveroutfitters.com